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Evaluate Milton’s presentation of either Satan or Eve in Paradise Lost book 4
Paradise Lost is an epic poem in blank verse by the 17th-century English poet John Milton. This
epic is generally considered as one of the greatest works in the English language. It was
originally published in 1667 in ten books. A second edition followed in 1674, and the epic poem
was re-divided and published in twelve books , with minor revisions throughout and a note on
the versification; the majority of the poem was written while Milton was blind, and was
transcribed for him.
The poem concerns the Christian story of the Fall of Man: the temptation of Adam and Eve by
the fallen angel Satan and their expulsion from the Garden of Eden. Milton incorporates both
paganism and Christianity within the poem. Milton’s paradise lost deals with a mixture of
diverse topics from marriage, politics, and monarchy to theological issues such as fate,
predestination, sin, death, Satan, angels and the war in heaven.
There have always been many interpretations of John Milton’s epic poem Paradise Lost.
Milton’s purpose in writing the epic was to explain the biblical story of Adam and Eve. Although
the epic is similar to the bible story in many ways Milton’s character structure differs greatly
from that of the bible’s version. Milton throughout the epic describes the characters in the way
he believes they are. Among these characters Milton’s Satan has always fascinated the critics
because he is more complex than the devil of the Christian tradition.
Milton’s introduction of Satan shows the reader how significant Satan is to Paradise Lost.
Satan’s character has been given a depth and prominence. His character stands out from the rest
of the characters from the beginning to the end by going through many significant changes. At
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the very beginning of the epic poem his character is viewed as an epic hero then towards the
middle and the end Satan is viewed as a villain and a monster, all grandeur of his character lost.
Personally I thought that dealing with the character Satan and the way how the character has
been presented would be challenging because of the complexity and psychology involved. Also
the Satan we see in Paradise lost is the total opposite of the Satan we see in the bible. Therefore
we get to view Satan through a new point of view.
At the beginning of Milton’s epic poem, especially in book one and two Satan is presented as a
hero. His appearance, power, valour and rhetorical ability qualify him as a perfect hero. On the
other hand Milton’s Paradise Lost is an epic poem so it is only natural to the reader or the
audience to seek an epic hero. With all the time spent on Satan his appearance and capabilities
the reader or the audience assume Satan to be the epic hero.
In book one and two Satan is shown as a hero fighting against injustice and for liberty. He rebels
against his creator because of his unwillingness to accept that all beings don’t deserve freedom.
He declares angels to be “self-begot” and “self-raised” eliminating God’s authority over them as
their creator. Through “to govern, not to serve” he emphasizes liberty and uncourageous other
angels to join him in his rebellion. Milton uses the rebellion scenes and the battle scenes to
highlight the heroic qualities of Satan, and his excellence in battle.
“One-third of all the angels in heaven” join him in his rebellion because of Satan’s persuasive
speeches. Satan’s persuasive powers are evident through the arguments he puts forward to his
angel-followers as to why they should over throw god. His persuasive powers are also evident
through the scenes where he convinces Eve to eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
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Satan’s willingness to fight against the superior power god and to never give up also portrays
him as a hero in Paradise Lost.
When looking at book four, we can clearly see Satan’s deterioration as a hero. This book gives
us a clear insight into Satan’s character and his role as a hero is greatly challenged. All the
splendour his character had before in book one and two is lost. Critics also referred to as anti-
Satanist argue that his speeches are pompous, ridiculous. And his behaviour despicable. In this
book Satan is shown regretting his decision of fighting against god and he begins to doubt
himself.
“ A wherefore! He deserved no such return
From me, whom he created what I was
In that bright eminence, and with his good
Upbraided none; nor was his service hard.”
(4. 42-45)
He also indulges on self pity. Which is definitely not a heroic trait.
“Sight hateful, sight tormenting! thus these two
Imparadis't in one anothers arms
The happier Eden, shall enjoy thir fill
Of bliss on bliss, while I to Hell am thrust,
Where neither joy nor love, but fierce desire,
Among our other torments not the least,
Still unfulfill'd with pain of longing pines;”
(4.505-511)
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In these line Satan laments his fate, being cast down in hell where there is no love and joy.
Reveals that he has a fully developed character.
He is portrayed as a liar, a whiner, a complainer and a coward who harms the weak.
“Which way I fly is hell; myself am hell;” ( 4. 75)
The above line said by Satan discards any possibility of considering Satan as hero
In this book Satan’s character sums up Milton’s view of evil from a theological and a
psychological point of view. According to Milton true evil is committed with full consciousness.
Satan in this book knows what he is doing is wrong, he feels guilt when he first enters Paradise.
But it turns into anger when he reflects on his own exile from heaven. And he knows what he is
about to do will curse innocence. Yet he is willing to carry out his plan.
Satan remembers goodness, heaven and he knows how to act good. But he refuses to do so. He
has knowledge but he uses it irrationally. All these show that Satan’s fall is due to his own pride
and folly. Pride has been his weakness from the beginning. Satan thinks that submission would
be a disgrace to him and he fears ridicule from his followers. He is encouraged by his own
satanic thoughts and ambitions. This shows Satan as a selfish, evil character interested in his own
personal gain.
Another weakness of Satan brought out in this book is that he accepts hi adoptive values as
reality. He creates an illusory world for himself.
“So farewell Hope, and with Hope farewel l Fear,
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Farewell Remorse: all Good to me is lost;
Evil be thou my Good;”
Through this statement Satan renounces everything that is good. His is not a lack of intelligence,
or weakness of character, it is very simply an acceptance of evil.
Milton focuses on the humanity in his Satan in book four. He has given his Satan a human like
appearance and a complex and emotional character. Satan is captivated by Adam’s and Eve’s
pure lust and compassion for one another. And he is also captivated by their innocence and
contentment. This makes him crave for their way of life, to crave for friendship, love and
companionship. He feels lonely and empty. He has no one to turn to and confide in. Through this
Milton clearly creates empathy towards Satan. And the fact that Satan once was one of the
highest angels in heaven and was called Lucifer, meaning, the light bearer and that he would
never ever get the things which he crave for now, and had owned once and discarded, adds upto
create pity towards Satan in the readers mind.
Psychologically Satan is in great pain. He is mentally tormented. His reality is based on hatred.
His hatred makes him psychologically dependent on what he hates. He is tormented between
right and wrong yet motivated by hatred to gain vengeance. This hatred is making him a lesser
angel physically. He even lowers himself by taking the form of a toad. His physical
disintegration also shows his moral decay.
Milton’s Satan has human thoughts, human feelings. He feels envy, bitterness, he has pride and
honour. He has conscience and ambitions. Milton’s Satan accepts that he has sin and has to
suffer the consequences. Milton has portrayed Satan completely as a human being, not as the
monster in the bible. So according to me what I think about Milton’s presentation of Satan is
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that he is neither presented as a hero nor a villain. He is an anti-hero. He doesn’t submit to
authority but he is arrogant and disillutioned.
Bibliography
"Satan is No Hero in John Milton's Paradise Lost." [Link]. 22 Oct 2010
<[Link]
"Satan and Jesus in John Milton's Paradise Lost." [Link]. 22 Oct 2010
<[Link]
"A Complex Satan in John Milton's Paradise Lost." [Link]. 22 Oct 2010
<[Link]
"Free Essay: Interpretation of God and Satan in John Milton's Paradise Lost." [Link].
22 Oct 2010
“Paradise Lost - A Brief Overview.” Paradise Lost Study Guide. New Arts Library.
1999. Web. 5 Nov. 2009.
<>[Link]
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